Tricycle



,I June 23,1936. i v A| H. RALsToN TRICYCLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V Filed June 6, 1955 I nvnto'r Attorney June 23, 1936.,

'1., H. RALsToN Inventor Attorney Patented June 23, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in tricycles for children and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an attachment in the form of a body representing that of a horse or other animal which may be expeditiously mounted on a conventional tricycle without the necessity of altering said tricycle structurally in any way.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide an attachment of the aforementioned character embodying a novel construction and arrangement whereby the usual seat of the tricycle may continue to be used.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a tricycle attachment of the character described which will be simple in construction, strong, durable, compact, light in weight, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specicas tion, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:-

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, showing an attachment in accordance with the present invention mounted on a tricycle.

Figure 2 is a view principally in vertical longitudinal section through the invention.

Figure 3 is a view in transverse section, taken Substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view in transverse section, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are detail views in perspective of the elements used for mounting the attachment on the tricycle.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the reference numeral I designates generally a conventional tricycle which includes a substantially U-shaped member 2 mounted on a rear axle 3, rear wheels 4 being journaled on the end portions of said axle 3. Extending upwardly and forwardly from an intermediate portion of the member 2 is a bar 5 on the forward end of which the usual tubular housing 6 is xed. A fork 'I is journaled in the tubular housing E in the usual manner and journaled in said fork 'i is the front wheel 8 which is driven by foot pedals 9. Handle bars I 0 are, of course, connected to the fork 1. The reference numeral II designates the usual seat mounted on the bar 5.

The embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprises a hollow body I2 of suitable material which is open at its bottom for the reception of the frame structure of the tricycle I. Extending downwardly and rearwardly from the body I2 between the rear wheels 4 are hind legs I 3. Extending forwardly and downwardly from the body I2 are front legs I4 which (Cl. 20S- 42) straddle the front wheel 8. -An opening I5 is provided in the top of the body I2 for the passage of the tubular housing 6.

The body I2 is supported on the frame of the tricycle I through the medium of transverse bars I6 which are secured, at their ends, to the side walls of said body I2 and which are secured, at an intermediate point, to the bar 5 through the medium of clamps Il. The body I2 is further supported, at its rear end portion, on the frame of the tricycle I through the medium of a substantially V-shaped brace I 8, the free end portions of which are clamped, as at I9, to the substantially U-shaped member 2 on opposite sides of the bar 5.

As best seen in Figure 2 of the drawings, the body I2 has formed in its upper portion an opening 20 through which the seat II pro-jects. Members 2| are provided on the body I2 at the front and rear of the opening 20 to enhance the comfort of the seat II and to assist in retaining the rider in position.

It will thus be seen that an attachment has been provided which may be expeditiously mounted in position on a conventional tricycle, it being only necessary to remove the handle bars I0. The device is operated in the usual manner, the rider sitting on the seat Il, grasping the handle bars IU with the hands and engaging the feet with the pedals 9 to propel the vehicle. It will readily be seen that through the medium of the present invention a conventional tricycle may be made to closely resemble a horse or other animal. Of course, the attachment may be attractively ornamented.

It is believed that the many advantages of the invention will be readily understood, and although a prefererd embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed isz- An attachment for tricycles of the type comprising supporting wheels, a frame mounted on said supporting wheels, said frame including a substantially U-shaped member and a bar extending from said member, and a seat mounted on said bar, comprising a substantially hollow body mounted on the frame and substantially enclosing said frame, supporting bars mounted transversely in the body and secured to the bar, a substantially V-shaped brace mounted on the substantially U-shaped member of the frame and secured to the body, said body having an opening therein through which the seat projects, and members mounted on the body adjacent the opening and cooperable with the seat.

LILLIAN HOLLEMAN RALSTON. 

